Concert reviews · Features · Weekend Photo Gallery

New Year’s Eve West Michigan-style: Joe Hertler, The Crane Wives, Carolina Liar, Billy Strings, DJs and more (Photo Galleries)

• January 1, 2016

From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore, jam-packed venues ushered in 2016 with some of West Michigan’s most popular bands and DJs — The Crane Wives, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Billy Strings and more — captured in colorful images at Local Spins. And The Go Rounds with Seth Bernard revved up Founders the day after New Year’s.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Frankie Ballard, Hannah Rose, Kris Hitchcock, Suport, Roosevelt Diggs, Lazy Blue Tunas, Rogue River Boys rev up the holidays: Photos

• December 20, 2015

Holiday hoopla and homecomings: West Michigan’s music scene was full of both this weekend as Christmas approached, with the story told through images at Local Spins. Check out the local and regional stars in the weekend photo gallery.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Rodriguez, Zac Brown Band, Break Science, Masked Intruder: Photo Galleries

• December 13, 2015

This week’s Local Spins photo gallery also boasts images from performances by regional acts Channing & Quinn, Nobody’s Darlin’, Heartsick, Megan Dooley and a Mitten Kitten Christmas, plus video highlights from Hazy Past’s tribute to the Allman Brothers Band.

Announcements · Breaking music news

Local Spins 2016 Calendars: Showcasing Michigan bands in dazzling photos by Local Spins photographers

• December 7, 2015

Looking for the perfect gift for the music lover on your list? For the first time ever, Local Spins is offering snazzy wall and desk calendars featuring 24 Michigan musical artists and five talented photographers. Get details in the Local Spins gift shop.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Lazy Lester, Wayland, Flint Eastwood, Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly rock the casbah in Grand Rapids

• December 6, 2015

A vintage bluesman, West Michigan hard-rock fave, up-and-coming Detroit pop star and emerging alt-country/rock band strutted their stuff this week — captured in compelling images by Local Spins photographers.

Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos

Billy Strings spreads his bluegrass gospel from Grand Rapids to Spring Lake in two-day blitz

• December 5, 2015

Billy Strings & Don Julin played one of their few remaining Michigan shows Friday at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up, the day after Billy Strings lit up One Trick Pony in a surprise gig with his dad. Check out the photo gallery from both shows.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Greensky Bluegrass lights up Kalamazoo homecoming shows, plus MGP Hip Hop Heavyweights, Desmond Jones (Photo Gallery)

• November 29, 2015

The long Thanksgiving holiday weekend got started early with hip hop at The Intersection and a jam band at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids, and wrapped up with a couple of lively shows by a true Kalamazoo fave. Check out all the photos.

Concert reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Weekend Photo Gallery

Domestic Problems, The Verve Pipe and Papa Vegas rev up The Intersection by reveling in the ’90s and beyond

• November 28, 2015

Three of the most memorable rock bands from West Michigan’s music scene joined forces Friday for a post-Thanksgiving extravaganza to ignite fans who traveled from afar for the Grand Rapids show. Check out the photo gallery and radio podcast from that day’s Local Spins on WYCE show featuring DP’s Andy Holtgreive.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Fine Fine Titans, UV Hippo, Steel Wheels, Sweet Water Warblers, Fonn Mor, Hannah Rose, Vox Vidorra: Recap, photo galleries, video

• November 22, 2015

From the lilting folk of Sweet Water Warblers and singer-songwriters at the Fall Flannel Folk Fest to the searing jam-band spectacle of UV Hippo, it was another groovy week to remember, captured in images at Local Spins. And check out the video from a hectic Saturday night: Five shows at five venues in less than two hours.

Album reviews · Photos

Darius Rucker rolls out country favorites ‘Southern Style,’ ‘Wagon Wheel’ and Hootie, too (Review, photo gallery)

• November 21, 2015

Country star Darius Rucker wrapped up his U.S. tour this week, but not before regaling Grand Rapids fans, paying tribute to his old band and congratulating fans who got engaged at the show. Check out the Local Spins photo gallery by photographer Eric Stoike.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

All Time Low, Sublime With Rome, Bennett, Kim Wilson, Megan Dooley, Grand Rapids Showcase: Show Recap and Photo Galleries

• November 15, 2015

It was a week for new albums, and new or revamped bands in West Michigan. Check out all the images, including The Bootstrap Boys, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Trash Hounds, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more in these Local Spins photo galleries and show recaps, plus two videos.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

The Ragbirds, Jim Lauderdale, Gwar, Murder Party, Yonder Mountain String Band, AOK, Lady Ace Boogie: Show Recap, Photo Gallery

• November 9, 2015

There’s no shortage of colorful oddness, passion and down-home charm in the roundup of recent concerts across West Michigan, from The Orbit Room to Bell’s Brewery to Seven Steps Up. Check out the photo galleries and show recap.

Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos

Lamp Light Music Festival: A ‘cultural hub’ of musical diversity and intimate sets where anything is possible

• November 8, 2015

The first two days of 2015’s Eastown house concert event have boasted jam-packed crowds and buoyant optimism about Grand Rapids’ musical future. See the photo gallery from the first two days, and check out the Sunday schedule.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Halloween 2015: Bassnectar thrills DeltaPlex, Halloween on Ionia reigns despite rain, The B.O.B. screams silver screen (Photo Gallery)

• November 1, 2015

Indoors and out, West Michigan celebrated Halloween with a lively mix of music, from The Crane Wives at Founders Brewing to the Red Sea Pedestrians at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo to Genetics with Desmond Jones at The Stache. See the resplendent Local Spins photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Lettuce, Dianne Reeves, Old Dominion, Skulx, Billy Strings, Tunde Olaniran, Lady Ace Boogie: Show Recap and Photo Gallery

• October 31, 2015

The week in live music leading up to Halloween covered funk, jazz, bluegrass, R&B, hip hop and folk. And that eclectic mix was captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the photo gallery, with more to come from Halloween night.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Melanie Martinez, Zedd, Heaters, Jars of Clay, Smallpools, Grace Potter: Show Recap, Photo Galleries

• October 25, 2015

The string of eclectic shows started with Tav Falco’s Panther Burns and included Jars of Clay, Of Montreal, Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, Mipso, Shawn Mullins, Youth Lagoon and much more. Check out all the images from a week of scintillating live music in West Michigan.

Features · Photos · Videos

A star is Borns: Grand Haven-bred pop singer electrifies New York fans, CMJ and beyond

• October 20, 2015

With a new album, an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a string of sold-out concerts in New York City and beyond, West Michigan native Garrett Borns may be on the verge of becoming a bona fide pop phenomenon. Read Local Spins’ exclusive back-stage interview and check out the photo gallery from a recent concert in The Big Apple.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Clutch, Disclosure, Amy Grant, Nate Ruess, Dizzybird Records anniversary: Show Recap and Weekend Photo Gallery

• October 19, 2015

Check out the updated Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery, including images from the Dizzybird Records anniversary show. When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Clutch, Disclosure, Amy Grant, Nate Ruess, Dizzybird Records anniversary: Show Recap and Weekend Photo Gallery

• October 18, 2015

When it comes to live music, October’s midway point sparked some gems, with local and regional artists getting into the act, too: Organissimo, Lucas Wilson, Mid-Life Crisis, Josh Rose and others. Check out the colorful images.

Uncategorized

Charles Bradley, An Dro, Hastings Roots Music Festival, Beats Antique, Dopapod: Recap and Photo Gallery

• October 11, 2015

The Eddy music festival wrapped up with Bradley and his soulful band on Saturday, a day which also saw compelling performances from An Dro and bands playing the Hasting Roots Music Festival. Check out the images and a video at Local Spins, plus photos from Dopapod in Kalamazoo.

Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

Earthwork Harvest Gathering ‘Elation’: A diary by Michigan musician Mark Lavengood

• September 22, 2015

Illustrated with photos by Local Spins photographer Anna Sink, the Dobro player who fronts the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza offers his impressions of last weekend’s joyful musicians’ fest outside Lake City. Check out the resplendent images and recap of an unforgettable event.

Concert reviews · Photos

Wilco roars with ‘Star Wars,’ band favorites in Kalamazoo; Lord Huron enchants capacity Grand Rapids crowd with cinematic indie-folk

• September 17, 2015

Two much-admired, inventive rock bands brought their respective, polished spectacles to West Michigan on Wednesday night. And Local Spins was there to document the impressive performances for packed houses. Read the reviews and scan the photo galleries from these mid-week concert gems.

Photos · Summer Concerts

Wheatland 2015 Revisited: Musical virtuosity, camaraderie, inspiration and spirituality (Photo gallery, recap)

• September 16, 2015

For the 42nd year, Wheatland’s special vibe was on display last weekend, propelled by performances from Dervish, Bill Kirchen, Joshua Davis, Blind Boy Paxton and many more. Check out the colorful photo gallery from a special weekend.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Of Montreal, Chase Rice, Eastown Street Fair, Harmonica Summit: Weekend Recap and Photo Galleries

• September 13, 2015

Janet Jackson and Of Montreal brought their touring spectacles to Grand Rapids on Friday, but there were plenty of other fascinating shows this week to ogle as well, from Saturday’s Eastown Street Fair to Thursday’s Grand Rapids Harmonica Summit to Chase Rice — all captured in photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos

Joshua Davis Band powers up ‘something so special’ for sold-out Wheatland throng on opening night

• September 12, 2015

Parking lots and seating areas were jam-packed Friday as Michigan’s Wheatland Music Festival launched three days of folk, roots music and more outside Remus. Read the roundup of the festival’s first day, and check out the photo gallery and video.

Concert reviews · Photos

Tony Bennett closes Meijer Gardens series by ‘stepping out’ with standards, ‘best American songs ever written’

• September 8, 2015

The legendary, Grammy-winning singer delivered a bevy of classics for a capacity crowd in Meijer Gardens’ 20th anniversary concert at what he called the world’s ‘finest concert hall.’ Fireworks capped the show. Read the review and check out the photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Ratatat, John Hiatt, Taj Mahal, Bangups, Heaters, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Tallest Man on Earth: Weekend Recap, Photo Gallery

• September 6, 2015

The weekend’s stunning array of shows by national and local acts paced an entire week of invigorating live music as Labor Day 2015 approaches. It’s all highlighted in a Local Spins recap, with photo galleries and videos.

Concert reviews · Photos

O.A.R. gets boost from Allen Stone in churning up jam-band waters for exuberant Grand Rapids audience

• September 3, 2015

One of the final Meijer Gardens concerts of the summer boasted the return of a Maryland rock band which once again sold out the outdoor amphitheater and got plenty of ‘hands up’ in the process. Read the review and ogle the photo gallery from a hot night of music.

Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery

Trace Adkins, The Crane Wives, The Go Rounds, May Erlewine, Polish Festival: The Weekend Photo Gallery & Show Recap

• August 30, 2015

CD-release shows and late summer festivals dominated a wet and cool August week, along with a first-time country show in Ionia and a packed Wealthy Theatre tour stop by May Erlewine and The Moonlighters. Check out all the photos at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club unfurls ‘pure magic’ of Cuban music in Meijer Gardens debut

• August 28, 2015

The revered Cuban ensemble entertained a sellout crowd with top-notch musicianship and dance-inspiring songs. Check out the Local Spins recap and photo gallery of a special night on the band’s “Adios Tour.”

Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos

Tuesday Evening Stars: Producer Marshall Crenshaw praises ‘precocious’ Accidentals, performs for first time with trio

• August 26, 2015

The Accidentals, with help from singer-songwriter and Michigan native Marshall Crenshaw, stole the show during the final Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer at Meijer Gardens. Check out the photos and video highlights from a night that celebrated regional music.

Features · Photos

Girl Power: Girls Rock! camp fosters new generation of musicians, closes with amped-up flourish at Wealthy Theatre

• August 25, 2015

“Girls can do anything” was the mantra for over two dozen girls last week at GR!GR with instructors’ encouraging positive motivation and empowerment for the budding musicians. Read the story and check out the photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos

Pop Evil rocks the lot for fist-pumping hometown crowd; Vince Gill brings country twang and humor to Meijer Gardens

• August 22, 2015

Friday night delivered two Grand Rapids concerts that couldn’t have been more different, but were every bit as satisfying for their respective throngs of fans. Check out the review and photo gallery from shows featuring Pop Evil and Vince Gill.

Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Summer Concerts

Hot jazz, hot weather, hot fans: GRandJazzFest gets Rosa Parks Circle sizzling on first day

• August 16, 2015

Stars such as Mike Frost Project 2.0, Grupo Aye, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Brian Simpson & Jackiem Joyner and Paul Brown & Nate Harasim heated things up in Grand Rapids on Saturday. See the full Sunday schedule here. Read the story and ogle the complete photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

Greensky Bluegrass, Seth Bernard weave ‘magic in the woods’ as Hoxeyville opens

• August 15, 2015

The charming music festival in the Manistee National Forest kicked off the weekend with one of its biggest crowds yet, and another ‘grass-idelic’ display by faves Greensky Bluegrass. Read the round-up of opening night and check out the photo gallery in a Local Spins exclusive.

Concert reviews · Guest Column · Photos

Every Time I Die’s frenetic, crowd-bludgeoning rock: ‘Controlled chaos’ in Grand Rapids

• August 13, 2015

Local Spins takes an inside look at an under-the-radar, mid-week concert that had “bodies flying every which way” thanks to a frenzied Buffalo band hitting its stride. Read the review and check out the wild photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

Now That’s What I Call ’90s Music: Eve 6, Better Than Ezra, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker relive glory days for Grand Rapids fans

• August 11, 2015

The tour where there’s no place for encores because they play all the hits anyway hit Meijer Gardens on Monday. It was all about nostalgia and ‘flashbacks to high school’ for many. For others, it was just a fun night of sing-alongs. Check out the review and photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

Umphrey’s McGee takes Meijer Gardens, fans to wondrous new places with intensity, face-ripping riffs and The Groove

• August 10, 2015

Sunday showcased a rare alignment of planets: One of Meijer Gardens’ best shows yet with one of Umphrey’s McGee’s best Grand Rapids shows ever, dazzling even newbies with mind-blowing chops and groovy lighting. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a concert that drew perhaps the wildest crowd in the amphitheater’s history.

Weekend Photo Gallery

Blue Oyster Cult, Craig Morgan, Sparta Celtic Fest, Cowpie Fest, Lyle Lovett, Hannah Rose Graves, Bigfoot Buffalo, The Crane Wives: Weekend Photo Galleries

• August 9, 2015

Festival mania swept across West Michigan this week, along with the usual outdoor and indoor concerts, making this one of summer’s busiest weeks. Much of the action was captured in images at Local Spins. Check out the live music roundup and four — count ’em four — photo galleries.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

Cowpie Music Fest stampedes out of the gate with dance-sparking Afro Zuma, Mainstays, Macpodz and more regional gems

• August 8, 2015

Despite overcast skies and stray sprinkles, Shagbark Farm’s celebration of regional music launched Friday with a joyful vibe and stellar music, with more to come Saturday. Read the recap of Friday’s opening volley and check out the photos from this unique festival.

Concert reviews · Photos

Sweet Emotion: Aerosmith delivers seasoned rock ‘n’ roll punch for Grand Rapids fans

• August 5, 2015

The iconic Boston rock band brought 45 years of stage savvy and classic hits to Van Andel Arena with Living Colour. Local Spins reviewer Troy Reimink waxes poetic — in[…]

Concert reviews · Photos

Diana Krall takes some risks, rewards Grand Rapids audience with eclectic repertoire

• August 4, 2015

The celebrated jazz singer and pianist led a razor-tight band through everything from Irving Berlin to Bob Dylan to Tom Waits at a sold-out, sun-drenched Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday. Read Local Spins guest reviewer Lazaro Vega’s take on the show and check out the photo gallery by Tori Thomas.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

Music for Miles, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Coast Guard Festival, Bennett, Fauxgrass: Weekend Photo Gallery

• August 2, 2015

Whether your tastes ran from the droll Garrison Keillor to the soul of The Temptations and The Soul Syndicate to the rap of ConvoTronics, summer’s music machine kept whirring this week — captured in images at Local Spins.

Concert reviews · Photos

The Beach Boys and The Temptations catch nostalgic wave of pop hits for sellout Grand Rapids crowd (Review, photo gallery)

• August 1, 2015

The Beach Boys brought The Temptations along on their return to Meijer Gardens on Friday, with both legendary bands — each led by one original member — churning out familiar summer favorites. Read the recap of the show and check out the photo gallery from a sun-splashed night.

Concert reviews · Features · Photos

Invading The Big Apple: The Crane Wives and The Accidentals serenade Manhattan the same night at different venues

• July 31, 2015

Two of Michigan’s most popular folk-driven acts crossed paths Thursday on tour, playing two New York City clubs within spitting distance of each other in a remarkable coincidence on their tours out East. Local Spins was there to capture it in photos. Check out the full gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos

Brandi Carlile returns to Meijer Gardens for fan-rousing, euphoric set of the new and classic

• July 31, 2015

Playing for a sold-out amphitheater, the singer-songwriter and opener Anderson East charmed fans with their own compelling original material and some delectable covers. Read the review and view the photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery

OneRepublic, Talib Kweli, Bryan Adams, Josh Garrels, Nick Moss: Weekend Photo Gallery

• July 26, 2015

Seasoned and emerging national acts made West Michigan tour stops, but local acts basked in summer’s power, too, including Bennett, Roosevelt Diggs, The Go Rounds, Jim Shaneberger, The Sailor Kicks. Check out all the photos in this weekend’s spectacular photo gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos

Colbie Caillat, Christina Perri, Rachel Platten bring upbeat pop heat to Meijer Gardens

• July 20, 2015

A sun-splashed capacity crowd of devoted West Michigan fans cheered the stars of the “Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour” all night long. Read the review and check out the photos by Local Spins’ Taylor Mansen.

Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery

Say Anything, Junior Brown, Wayland, The Crane Wives, Bigfoot Buffalo, Jukejoint Handmedowns: Weekend Photo Gallery

• July 19, 2015

Summer heated up this week on the live music front, with national and local acts pumping up West Michigan audiences. And some big names rolled into Meijer Gardens, too, including Pat Benatar, The New Pornographers and Steve Miller. It’s all part of this week’s roundup in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery.

Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts

The New Pornographers fill Meijer Gardens with shimmering pop, anti-classic rock affair

• July 16, 2015

Just more than half full, the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday night resonated with the Canadian band’s unique, effervescent vibe. Check out the Local Spins review by Troy Reimink and photo gallery by Anna Sink.